Rheumatology nurses 'save millions of NHS pounds'

Every rheumatology specialist nurse employed by the NHS increases efficiency by a quarter of a million pounds each year, new research suggests.

Specialist nurses provide direct care and support for patients with a particular disease, such as rheumatic diseases, cancer or diabetes.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) monitored the working patterns of rheumatology specialist nurses for a year and found that each one saves £175,168 per year through increased efficiency, thanks to freeing up hundreds of consultant appointments.

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Furthermore, the nurses provide telephone support for patients, freeing up GP appointments for other patients and generating a further £73,588 saving per nurse.

The RCN said that its study highlights the economic value of specialist nurses and urged politicians to maintain staffing numbers.

Dr Peter Carter, the college's chief executive and general secretary, said: 'This study looks at the value of specialist nursing in just one specialty. However, we know that similar findings could be found in other areas.

'When you add up the estimated value of specialist nurses working in the numerous disease specialties, we could well be looking at a billion pounds in total.'

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